Dish rack



1953 c. s. MARASIGAN DISH RACK Filed Aug. 4, 1950 IN VEN TOR. C'a/wmao1.5. fl/ARJJ/GMN BY ATTOEIVEYJ Patented Feb. 24, 1953 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in racks, and more particularlyto a novel sectional rack composed of a plurality of separable sections,each section being capable of serving individually as a rack.

An object of this invention is the provision of a rack of the characterdescribed which is particularly suitable for such articles as dishes,and which is readily portable and easily packaged and tored.

Another object is to provide a rack composed of a plurality ofindividual sections, each a complete rack in itself and provided withmeans for attaching it to other sections so that any number of sectionscan be combined.

A further object is the provision of a rack which supports the articlein a convenient manner but from which the article is readily removable.

Still another object is to provide a rack which supports an article at aplurality of spaced points on each side thereof without excessivelygripping the same.

A still further object is to provide a rack or holder of the characterdescribed which is simple and inexpensive of construction.

The exact nature of this invention as well as other objects andadvantages thereof will be readily apparent from consideration of thefollowing specification and to the annexed drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a rack section or holderaccording to this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the rack section of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the rack section of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line |-'4 of Figure 1,illustrating the mode of attachment of one rack section to another toform a rack assembly; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the clamp means of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,there is shown in Figure 1 a rack section according to this inventionwhich comprises a base member II. Base member I I is preferably of openrectangular construction and comprises a front bar I2, a back bar I3,and side bars I4.

A spring clamp I5 is mounted on back bar I3 intermediate the endsthereof, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. As shown in Figure 5, clamp I5involves a loop embracing the back bar I3 and opposed spring armsengageable with the front bar I2 of another rack section in the mannerdescribed below.

Upright side bars I6 are mounted on the back corners of the base memberII. Secured to the upper ends of the upright side bars are upturned,rearwardly projecting hooks I! for engaging another rack section, as setforth below.

Article engaging means, generally designated I8, are mounted on theupper ends of upright side bars I6, respectively, means I8 beingarranged to engage the article at a plurality of spaced points. As shownin Figures 2 and 4, means I8 comprises a pair of multiple curved membersI9, 2I, the free ends of members 2| being connected together by a bar22.

Curved members I9, which constitute the load balancing member of meansI8, are secured to the upper ends of upright side bars I6 in anysuitable manner. Each curved member I9 extends forwardly and downwardlyin the direction of base member II and diverges laterally outwardlythereof, as shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the members l9 are generally U-shaped, thelegs 23 and 24 of the U being of opposite curvature. The bight portions25 of members I9 are preferably semi-elliptical, while legs 23 and 24are reversely curved with respect to each other. In this manner, pointsof projection 3! and 32 are formed on each member I9, for a purpose tobe described below.

Curved members 2 I, which constitute the load supporting members ofmeans I8, are secured on the upper ends of legs 24. Members 2| extenddownwardly in the direction of base member II and curve rearwardly attheir lower ends. As shown in Figure 2, each member 2! comprises adownwardly extending straight portion and a rearwardly and upwardlycurved lower end portion. An article, such as a dish 21, is adapted tobe supported upon its lower edge in the cradles provided by the lowerend portions of the members 2|, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The members 2| further comprise upwardly and rearwardly curvedterminals. It is to be noted that the bight portion 25 of the members I9are spaced above the terminals of the members 2|. Connected to andextending between the upper ends of the upright side bars I6 is a bar26.

In operation, dish 21, or any other similar article is supported in thecradle of the lowermost portions of members 2|. The pressure exertedupon members I9 by dish 21 forces mamhers l9 laterally outwardly of basemember II to keep a tight grip on dish 21. As shown in Figure 2, eachmember 2| engages dish 21 at a plurality of spaced points, one point 28bein at the lower end of the straight portion of member 2| and engagingthe back of the dish. The other point or terminal 29 on the free endportion of member 2| engages the inner surface of dish Z'I.

Similarly, member l9 engages dish 2'! at a plurality of spaced points.One point, corre:- sponding to projection point 3|, engages the dish 21at its outer side surface. The other point, corresponding to projectionpoint 32 engages dish 21 along the rim thereai.

It is thus seen that the rack according to this invention engages thedish at a plurality of spaced points and grips the same tightly enoughto prevent inadvertent. dislodgment. Furthermore, dish 2:! is held insuch a position that any water thereon may readily drain. ofi. Finally,if a plurality of racks are utilized, none of the dishes may contacteach other and thereby cause accidental breakage. Since the center ofgravity of the rack. is intermediate base member H, the rack is alwaysin stable condition.

In order to assemble a plurality of racks together to accommodate aplurality of articles, hookr members 33 of rack 34 are hooked over bar.26, while spring clamp 35 of rack 34. engages front leg [2 of basemember I I. Similarly, hook members I l are hooked over the bar 3 6 ofrack 31, while spring clamp l engages the front leg 38 of the basemember of rack 31'. In this manner any number of racks may be assembledtogether to accommodate any number of articles.

It is thus seen that this invention provides a rack from a plurality ofindividual members, each a composite rack in itself and that the articleis supported in a convenient manner, yet is readily removable. By makingthe rack'of Wire, or other light material, the rack is readily portableand easil packaged.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of this invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. Thus, each of means [8 maybe made of a single piece or a plurality of pieces welded or otherwisesecured together. Similarly, if desired, the entire rack may be made ofunitary construction. It is therefore to be understood that, within thescope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwisethan as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rack for a dish, a base member adapted to restupon a supportingsurface, said base member comprising av front bar, a rear bar, side barsextending between and connected to said front and rear bars, uprightside bars rising from said rear bar at points adjacent to the points atwhich the side bars intersect the rear bar, U-shaped members positionedforwardly of said upright bars, said U-shaped members having bightportions and rearward legs secured at their upper ends to the upper endsof the upright side bars and forward legs, the upper ends of the forwardlegs connected to depending straight bar portions, said straight barportions terminating at their lower ends in rearwardly and upwardlycurved lower end portions spaced forwardly from the upright side bars.said lower end portions terminating in upwardly and rear wardly directedterminals, said terminals being said upright bars, said U-shaped membershaving. bight portions and rearward legs secured at their upper ends tothe upper ends of the upright side bars and forward less, the upper endsof the forward legs connected to depending straight bar portions, saidstraight bar portions terminating at their lower ends in rearwardly andupwardly curved lower end portions spaced forwardly from the uprightsidebars, saidv lower end portions terminating in upwardly andrearwardly directed terminals, said terminals being spaced below thebight portions of said U-shaped members, and a lower bar extendingbetween and connected to said terminals, said U-shaped members extendinglaterally outwardly with respect to the adjacent upright. side bars anddiverging downwardly with respect thereto.

3. In a rack for a dish, a base member adapted to rest upon a supportingsurface, said base member comprising a front bar, a rear bar, sidebarsextending between and connected to said front and rear bars, uprightside bars rising from said rearbar at points adjacent to the points atwhich the side bars intersect the rear bar, U-shaped members positionedforwardly of said upright bars, said U-shaped members having bight,portions and rearward legs secured at their upper ends to the uprightside bars and forward legs, the upper ends of the forward legs connectedto depending straight bar portions, said straight bar portionsterminating at their lower ends in rearwardly and upwardly curved lowerend portions spaced forwardly from the upright side bars, said lower endportions terminating in upwardly and rearwardly directed terminals, saidterminals be ing spaced below the bight portions of said U- shapedmembers, and a lower bar extending between and connected to saidterminals, said U- shaped members extending laterally outwardly withrespect to the adjacent upright side bars and diverging downwardly withrespect thereto, said depending straight bar portions being aligned withsaid upright side bars across said base, the said lower end portions ofsaid straight bar portions being deflected laterally inwardly withrespect to said upright side bars.

CONRADO S. MARASIGAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

